Analyss of Chase Scene in "Point Break"

This 1991 action/crime thriller film explores the reasoning behind dangerous action. In this scene, FBI Agent Johnny Utah is chasing a masked surfer who is part of group involved in bank robberies. Thus, the typical chase between the cop and the criminal is established.

The style used in this scene creates intense suspense. In particular, there is a lot of shots in narrow alleys. The sudden direction change the camera makes adds to that feeling of anticipation. There is a lot of bland colors used which sets the tone for a unfavorable situation. The scene is limited in dialogue and relies on natural noise and additional music. The lack of dialogue allows the audience to maintian its  entire focus on the action surrounding the scene since that is the scene is particularly the chase between the agent and the masked man.

The surpise element of this scene comes from the ending, in which the "good guy" is unable to defeat the "bad guy". This is an unexpected conclusion to the chase because the audience follows that the agent follows the masked man very closely and seems to reach him in several instances. The hero's downfall in jumping from the wall is very tragic for the viewer. When the agent draws his gun to shoot the man, the directs inserts two extreme close up shots in a row to get the audience ready for the agent to shoot the masked man. However, in the shot following this, the agent realizes that he won't be able to catch the masked man and becomes frustrated. The direct then, shocks the viewer by creating  a certain expectation and then reveals the opposite of what the audience expects.

How Do Camera Movements Create Emotions?

Crane down - A crane shot moves the audience down into the scene, creating a feeling of being dropped into the character's world.

Crane up - A crane up moving from focusing on the character into a wider frame of the background shows the viewer how small the character is in comparison to the obstacle that he has to overcome.

Crane high to low angle - When the camera moves into a low angle onto the character, it evokes a sense of fear since the character appears very authoritative and strong. 

Handheld - Handheld movement has shakiness, which causes the scene to seem very dangerous and unsettling. 

Quickpan - A quickpan can suddenly change the emotion of the scene, since it reveals a new danger that the character has to overcome. This movement has the power of directing the emotion.

Quick push in - The sudden movement shows a feeling of shock and surprise.

Slow dolly in - The movement towards the character can bring the audience closer towards the subject of the film. This can either create tension by establishing an uncomfortable feeling or create understanding for the character by allowing the audience to share the emotions. 

Slow dolly out - Moving the camera away from the character can make the character seem abandoned. Therefore, the viewer feels empathy for the character and wants him to overcome the obstacle. 

Dolly across - A movement across shows the emotional direction of the scene since it reveals the source of conflict.

Glidecam shot - A smooth glide creates a dramatic, epic feeling.

Handheld shot - The handheld shot's shakiness produces a edgy feeling like the action is being forced onto the viewer.

Glidecam 360 reveal - The 360 reveal creates anticipation for upcoming action since it surveys the surrounding in search for a situation to focus on.

Zolly - This is a shot that is an interesting combination of the zoom and the dolly. The subject remains the same size, while the background gets larger or smaller. It feels like an "out-of-body experience" to the character which can create an dramatic and emotional scene.

Zoom - A movement into or out of the scene. It can shift focus onto a specific subject or away from something to create a broader feel.

Pan - The movement to the left and right while the base stays fixed. Only the camera direction changes to give an overview of the location. It establishes the location of the scene, providing perspective for the upcoming action.

Tracking - This movement shifts the entire camera from left to right in a fluid motion.

Tilt - The base is fixated, while the camera direction shifts up and down. These shots are usually used to introduce characters and give them a sense of power.

Dolly - Similar to tracking, this is the movement of the camera in and out in a fluid motion. 

Camera Angles

Establishing Shot
An establishing shot is a wide shot, usually at the beginning of a new scene, that is used to show the setting/scene of action. 

There is a lot of repetition of curved lines with the hilly setting.

Long Shot 

This shot shows the entire length of the object or person in order to show its relation to the surroundings.
There is formal balance in many of the shots, with the position of the buildings and the position of the people.

Medium Shot

A somewhat detailed shot, showing the subject from the waist up. Some of the background can be seen, so there is equal focus on the subject and the environment. 

There is a lot of formal balance with the position of the peacekeepers and building in the background.

Eye Level Shot
A shot in which the camera is positioned in such a way that the subject looks directly at the audience.

Formal balance is present when Truman is looking into the mirror.

Close Up Shot
A shot that zooms in on a subject so that they are the sole focus of the shot, showing much detail of the subject.
Unity is present because the full clip has the same repeating bland, gloomy colors in the background.
Bird's Eye View
A shot taken from above the subject; they can capture any action that cannot be seen from ground level or can be used as establishment shots.

Leading lines are strongly present with the building aligning towards the direction that the character is flying towards.
Worm's Eye View
A perspective taken from below the subject so the viewer is looking up at the scene.

Leading lines are strongly present at the beginning and end of the clip.
Extreme Close Up Shot
A shot that zooms in to focus on a very specific part of the subject to show extreme detail. They are usually used to convey intensity or emotion.
Variety is present with the myriad of objects present in the background.
Reaction Shot
A shot that shows the subject's reaction in response to an event outside of the frame.
 (1:29 onwards)
 There's unity with the presence of the greenery all around.
Point of View Shot
A shot that allows the audience to look through the eyes of one character.

There is scale because the objects farther into the shot look much smaller than the closer objects.
Over the Shoulder Shot
An angle is which the camera is arranged to look over the shoulder of an actor.

Formal balance is present since the photographs in the background are evenly arranged throughout the wall.